?

  The distance was roughly estimated as being about the same as from Song to Ch'ü, and after five days of continuous travelling, they arrived at Yung on the fifth night.

  This place is adjacent to the Yellow River in the north, with dense city walls nearby, making it a battleground for military strategists. Due to its location at the intersection of Han and Wei states, it has frequently changed hands, resulting in a mixed population.

  After staying in Yuan Yang for one night, Song Chu Yi had the merchant group head southwest and no longer pass through Wei State, but instead go straight to Wu Guan from Han State.

  The capital of Korea is too close to the capital of Wei, in case the news leaks out, Song Chuoyi leaned against the carriage wall and pondered, with a sheepskin map spread out beside him, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the map.

  Zhang Wu held the bamboo slips in his hand, but his eyes kept sneaking glances at Song Chuyi's face. Her cheeks had been frostbitten when they rode horses a few days ago, and were now bright red. Zhang Wu suddenly realized that her skin was as delicate as silk, and couldn't help but take another look.

  Song Chu suddenly turned his head, grinned at him and said "Although I'm a person with quite some depth, no matter how many eyes you have, they won't grow wisdom."

  She suppressed her smile and said "Read books!"

  Li Mochou's face had become much thicker-skinned now; she didn't get angry upon hearing this, and instead put down her bamboo stick to ask.

  "Teacher, you've been staring at this map for four or five days, what exactly are you looking at?"

  He thought that Song ChuYi might have already memorized the map, yet she still stared at it every day, not getting tired of it, but he found it annoying just by looking at her.

  "What I see is not a map, but the overall situation." Song Chu stretched out his hand and Jian quickly handed her a cup of hot water.

  "What about the teacher, is he going or not going to pay respects to Lord Han?" asked Zhen Gu.

  "If you were to make the decision, would you go or not?" Song Chu asked, taking a sip of water, but didn't answer and instead counter-questioned.

  "Of course, I've thought about it. Anyway, we'll have to meet with Lord Han sooner or later, so why not take the opportunity now? Teacher can visit Lord Han without revealing his identity as a Wei envoy, and if he's careful, he shouldn't be discovered."

  Just like last time in Song State, go visit the powerful minister first and ask him to introduce you.

  However, Korea is one of the seven major powers after all, and the domestic situation is much more complicated than that of Song. Moreover, last time Song Chu was alone and had no worries about being discovered, even if her identity was exposed, she still had room to recover as long as she could save her own life. But this time it's different, not a single mistake can be made. If the news leaks out, the entire plan will fail.

  Song Chu hesitated for a moment and said, "Have you ever understood Han Hou?"

  He shook his head after a moment of contemplation, "I've never left the country, so I'm not really sure."

  "In fact, from his actions, one can also glimpse a bit." Song Chu put down the teacup and said, "When Han Hou was young, he still had some decisiveness, but as he grew older, he became more like a weak grass on the wall, swaying with every breeze. His ears were soft, and he increasingly loved to follow the crowd. I went to find him for empty talk, even if it had an effect at the time, by the time I finished persuading other countries, at least half a year would have passed, who knows what changes there will be?"

  He didn't dawdle or get distracted; he only considered objective factors and hadn't thought of these things.

  At the beginning of the Song Dynasty, he put down his tea cup and rolled up the map. "Everything in the world changes quickly, but nothing is faster than the change of human heart."

  Zhuangzi asked, "How can one grasp people's hearts?"

  "Understand the hearts of men?" Song Chu smiled lightly, "The two things in this world that are most impossible to grasp are the will of heaven and the hearts of men. As for the will of heaven, one can only follow the trends of the times; as for the hearts of men, one can only take advantage of them at the right moment."

  Zhuo Gu did not dare to act rashly and said, "I dare not accept your teachings." He could not first pay his respects to the Marquis of Han, so Song Shi made a decision and ordered the merchant group to go directly to the Wu Pass in Qin.

  Although it is farther than going through Hangu Pass and the road is difficult, you don't have to go through Wei again, and it's not easy to find out where you are.

  They did not enter a big city again on this road, until after Nanliang, they entered the city to rest for one night, tidy up their horses and carriages, and buy dry rations. Because from then on, there would be no more big cities until Wuguan.

  At the beginning of the Song Dynasty, he did not rest on this road, but instead drew pictures or made some written records of the places he passed through.

  Finally lying on a bed that didn't rock, Song Chuyi bathed and then lay down like a mudflat, feeling comfortable and unknowingly fell asleep.

  In a daze, it seems to hear someone singing: The philosopher builds the city, the philosophical woman overturns the city. The virtuous and wise woman is like a falcon or an eagle. The woman has a long tongue, which is a disaster for her husband...

  Song Chu suddenly opened his eyes and was shocked, with a cold sweat all over his body.

  This was sung by the old man he met on the way, saying that a clever woman would bring disaster to the country. Song Chu stretched out his hand and touched the brocade bag in his bosom, which contained the medicine given by Xing Shou, saying it could conceal her feminine appearance.

  "Wu Nian" Song Chu murmured. Within five years, she will not show her true daughter's demeanor.

  She slowly sat up and poured herself a cup of water in the light of the fire.

  In the past, Song Chu Er's reason for hiding in a small place was that she never concealed her female identity. Relying on being Zhuangzi's student, there would be nobles who wanted to marry her, at least fine clothes and jewelry wouldn't be a problem, but she'd rather hit a wall everywhere, suffer so much, almost lose her life, than live in a small sky.

  She doesn't hide her identity, but is worried that one day when she's exposed, the consequences will be irreparable. It's better to make it clear from the start, if others want to use it, they can; if not, then so be it!

  But generally speaking, most of the time one still has to go with the flow.

  Heaven has given me a second chance at life, should I play it safe and seek wealth and glory or live life to the fullest without fear?

  At the beginning of the Song Dynasty, one would choose the latter without hesitation. Even if she died again, at least she had once flaunted her talents in this world, and there was no regret.

  At the beginning of the Song Dynasty, he touched his brocade pouch and decided to wait another half year before taking it. Now this half year is almost invisible, and eating it would be a waste.

  "Yu Gege, you're so stingy." Song Chu put down his teacup and climbed onto the bed, thinking to himself, if he was going to give him medicine, why only give five years' worth when he could have given several decades? Just this trip to persuade various countries would take up half a year, and by the time this plan is fully implemented, it'll probably take one or two years.

  At the beginning of the Song Dynasty, one thought was chanting the star guard, and soon fell asleep again.

  The next day, before dawn, the caravan set off.

  Outside floated a few fine snowflakes, no wind. Song Chu had half-closed her eyes, holding the white blade and boarding the horse carriage, pouncing on the small bed to continue sleeping.

  It snowed for two days, but the sky remained gloomy and overcast. Song Chu Er, a person who wouldn't open her eyes without sunlight, actually slept for two whole days.

  Afterwards, the weather cleared up, and she was over-energized again. Every day, she dragged along with her lectures, ruthlessly tormenting a young man full of vitality to the point where he was on the verge of collapse. Even drinking a slightly cold glass of water made him feel desolate for no reason.

  To get rid of this endless abuse, Tsubomi suddenly fell ill, scaring the two doctors in the merchant group out of their wits, who guarded him day and night.